After Reading

Comprehension: Recall and Interpret

1. In the first paragraph of the preface, what purpose does Johnson say he hopes the Dictionary will fulfill? How might the definitions in the Dictionary help fulfill this purpose?

2. List three of the reasons Johnson gives to explain why dictionaries are never perfect. Why might Johnson have chosen to include these reasons in the preface?

3. Which of Johnson’s definitions are sarcastic? Why might Johnson have chosen to include these definitions?

Literary analysis: Evaluate and Connect

4. Identify Author’s Purpose Based on his comments in the preface, what audience did Johnson have in mind when he compiled his dictionary? What was his purpose or purposes in writing the preface?

5. Analyze Voice Examine the stylistic elements that create Johnson’s voice. Then, in your own words, describe his voice and provide examples from the text to support your response. Do you think Johnson’s voice is appropriate and effective for a preface to a dictionary? Explain why or why not.

6. Draw Conclusions Find clues in the preface that express Johnson’s deepest feelings about his great work, especially his hopes and fears about how it would be received. What conclusions about the author’s values and beliefs can you draw from Johnson’s remarks on the following topics?

• the state of the English language (lines 12–23)

• his explanation of the process for compiling the dictionary (lines 24–42)

• his personal ambitions (lines 43–54)

• the conditions under which he worked (lines 55–83)

7. Evaluate a Primary Source Examine the selected entries from Johnson’s dictionary. Using a chart like the one shown, choose two or three words that have a substantially different meaning in our language today, and explain how their usage or meanings have changed. Considering these changes, what is the best use of Johnson’s dictionary today?

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